CTE Millage Already Paying Off

With the passage of the Career & Technical Education millage, the local schools combined have saved over $280,000 this year.

That news was shared with the Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education by CCISD Superintendent George Stockero and CTE Director Shawn Kolbus at their regular meeting this week.

Partnerships with the local colleges and universities are progressing and there will be one CTE class at each institution next fall.

The drawings and specs for the new Construction Trades and the new Welding/Manufacturing classes have been completed.

Bids for construction are due on February 14th and the new classrooms and labs are expected to be completed by the start of the next school year.

Here is the full press release from the CCISD:

The Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.

Superintendent George Stockero and CTE Director Shawn Kolbus gave the Board an update on Career & Technical Education (CTE). Stockero and Kolbus informed the Board that the CCISD is keeping their promises to the schools and public. With the passage of the CTE millage, the local schools combined have saved over $280,000 this year. Partnerships with the local colleges and universities are progressing and we will have one CTE class at each institution next fall. The biggest news of the night had to do with the upcoming renovations at the current CTE building in Hancock. Stockero and Kolbus informed the Board that they had advisory meetings for the new Construction Trades and the new Welding/Manufacturing classes. A total of 18 owners or managers from local construction and welding/manufacturing attended the advisory meetings and gave their input on what they would like to see in the future labs and classrooms for the new CTE classes. The local group also provided their feedback to the engineering firm, UPEA. As a result, all the drawings and specs have been completed. They have been posted in the paper and on the CCISD website. The bids for construction will be due on February 14, with a pre-bid walk through on February 1. The new classrooms and labs will be completed prior to the start of school next year.

Superintendent Stockero also informed the Board that he had reapplied for a Portage Health Foundation Grant for the Health Careers and Certified Nursing Assistant classroom and labs. Stockero publically thanked the foundation for its generous gift of $50,000 for the construction of the new classes.

Finally, Stockero read to the Board an email from a former Certified Nursing student. The student had sent teacher Lorie Maki a note stating that right after her high school graduation, she applied for a job as a CNA. She received an interview right away and was hired right away. The young lady went on to say, she took her State test and passed with flying colors. The former student thanked the teacher for completely preparing her for the job she has and loves. She said being a CNA is a very demanding job, but also very rewarding. Stockero said this is just one example of communications the CCISD receives from former students, and it shows how important our CTE classes are to students and the community.

January is School Board recognition month. Superintendent Stockero thanked the Board for their commitment to the education of the students in the Copper Country, noting many on the Board have given of their time for many, many years. Stockero also noted that he was appreciative of the support that the Board has given him during his years as Superintendent, stating that the Board has taught him many things and helped him learn and grow.

The Board also acted on the following:

• Hired David Skotarczyk as a Helpdesk Technician for REMC1.
• Hired William Green as Truant/Attendance Officer.
• Accepted with regret the resignation of Kimberly Salmi, School Nurse.